The new year started off with lots of great WHYY programming and events in January — and plenty more's in store for 2010. We'll continue to strive to remain your most trusted local public media provider and be the go-to place for news when you need it, entertainment when you want it and a safe haven in which children can learn.

WHYY-TV broadcast Gov. Jack Markell's State of the State address and followed up with reaction stories on First, which offers in-depth exploration of the issues that shape Delaware. The First crew spent the month producing stories on flu etiquette, sports betting and much more in addition to welcoming the governor to WHYY's Wilmington studio for an interview.

WHYY-TV also broadcast its fourth annual A Conversation With the Governor. Marty Moss-Coane, host and executive producer of WHYY-FM's Radio Times, sat down with Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, who offered insight on his years in office and future plans. In case you missed it, stream the program online using WHYY's video player, available at WHYY.org/video.

WHYY's enhanced online News and Information service now has a name: Newsworks.org. The name tips its hat to the region's industrial heritage. The service will feature a section for "hyperlocal" news and community forums in which our audience can voice thoughts on what they'd like to get out of our news coverage. Look for the service to arrive in a few months.

Construction of The Dorrance H. Hamilton Public Media Commons is moving forward smoothly, and come the fall the facility will be a place where you and your family can use the latest digital technology to become great storytellers. Hamilton Commons recently wrapped up its fall after-school session in which 30 high school students produced four movies. Another 30 students will learn how to work with digital media during the spring session.

A couple of quick notes before signing off this month:
Listen for Jo Ann Allen, the new WHYY-FM Morning Edition anchor. Allen is a news veteran who spent almost 20 years as news anchor of New York City-based WNYC-FM.
Stay tuned for more on an exciting new monthly WHYY-TV program spotlighting the region's arts, culture and entertainment offerings.

As always, your contributions are invested in programming and services that enrich the lives of all of us in the Delaware Valley. Thank you for your support of WHYY.